Lexus made a big deal of the fact that performance from the RC F is truly accessible, and I think the automaker really nailed that. Unlike the rather barbaric IS F, the new coupe really will allow a driver to learn how to go fast, without much fear of being bitten by a sudden, overwhelming shot of power and loss of grip from the rear tires.

Where the IS F was not only happy to drift through hard corners, but prone to it, the RC offers a much more balanced setup. To me, that’s a huge win for the development team, even if it results in a car that’s slightly more mainstream, less idiosyncratic. Less of a glorious bastard and more of a grownup – I trust that a lot of you will understand why that makes me both happy and sad.